Primary Hodgkin lymphoma of the ulnar nerve: the first case report with review of the literature

Abstract

Hodgkin lymphoma is a lymphoid malignancy characterized by minority population of neoplastic cells (Reed-Sternberg cells and its variants) within a reactive inflammatory background. It encompasses two entities: classical HL (∼95% of cases) and nodular lymphocyte predominant HL (∼5% of cases). Primary lymphoma of peripheral nerves (PLPN) represent a very rare condition, since only 19 cases have been reported in the English literature to date, all of which are of a non-HL phenotype. A 20-year-old female presented an intramural mass of the ulnar nerve. Histological analysis revealed a Classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Further investigations failed to reveal nodal or extranodal involvement. PLPN is a very rare entity. There is a need for further understanding of this unusual lymphoma presentation.